A Note from The Virtual Wall

Shortly before noon on 13 Jan 1968 a convoy enroute from Thon Son Lam to Ca Lu in Quang Tri Province encountered an estimated company of North Vietnamese, who promptly attacked the convoy with mortar fire, rocket propelled grenades, and small arms fire.

In the initial moments of the contact one of the trucks carrying 81mm mortar ammunition exploded, scattering smoldering ammunition along the road and surrounding area. Simultaneously, another truck was disabled by a rocket propelled grenade, blocking the road and halting the rear portion of the convoy. The convoy escort, India 3/9, dismounted and engaged the enemy force. The forward part of the convoy continued to Ca Lu, picked up Lima 3/9, and returned to the site of the meeting engagement. Artillery and air strikes were directed against the NVA, while additional ground forces began moving toward the area. As the Marine firepower built up, the NVA withdrew into the hills on either side of Highway 9 but by the time the fighting stopped eighteen Marines and one sailor were dead: